Liverpool Rumours Archive July 22 2021

22 Jul 2021 16:43:56
Hi Eds, I understand the first team players we're looking at however, are we looking at anyone for the u23/ reserve teams? Many thanks.

{Ed002's Note - The three I know of:
Ben Grist (CM) is a kiddie from Grimsby who is of serious interest to LIverpool - and a bunch of other Premier League sides - Leicester are trying hard to strike a deal and Manchester United have held talks. Hard to tell what will happen but very much one for the future.
Bobby Clark (W) Liverpool are keen on taking Lee Clark's son from Newcastle.
Ricky-Jade Jones (S) Liverpool are amongst several clubs interested in the kiddie. Would be a very good young buy.}

22 Jul 2021 20:15:18
As you had said earlier, Ed002, no more under 18's can be purchased from outside of the UK anymore. And we can see that from the above. Question is do you agree that it's a good thing for the English game, as it will push undeveloped English talent upwards to fill in spaces left vacant by foreign players that would normally come in?

{Ed002's Note - Well the problem is that others can continue to do it which makes it a bad thing - although I am a believer that players should not be allowed to be transfered at all until they are 18.}

23 Jul 2021 01:11:12
Ed002, do you think HG rules should be relaxed then in terms of 3 years from 18-21 then or do you think the situation is sufficient?
Many thanks.

{Ed002's Note - It is not 3 years 18-21, it is three years before 21.}

23 Jul 2021 08:01:36
Considering the standardisation of full time education age across most of Europe to be 17 or 18, it is bizarre that in so many countries footballers still in full time education are allowed to transfer. I guess part of the reason is because its hard to administrate (after all families do relocate so I'm sure anyone who really wants to will set up elaborate lies to cover it) but the authorities should at least be trying.

23 Jul 2021 01:28:25
Ah my bad ed002, I just meant given you said over 18 it would mean 18-21 in those circumstances and therefore cut down the numbers a lot
Many thanks.

22 Jul 2021 15:12:14
Hey edd002, are we still trying for a deal for malen? Or can we cross him off the list now?
Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - I suspect he will head elsewhere.}

22 Jul 2021 17:13:54
Dortmund.

22 Jul 2021 19:18:25
Any thoughts on who you think we will end up with forward wise eds? Most of the linked players seem to be heading elsewhere. Very interested in who you think are serious options/ contenders. Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - Bowen, Sarr, Trore, Hoppe perhaps.}

22 Jul 2021 20:15:33
Ed002 could Ousmane Dembele still be a target? Sly sports sources say Barcelona are looking to get rid of him.

{Ed002's Note - No. He is injured and staying.}

22 Jul 2021 21:37:47
Thanks Ed, don't fancy any of those if I'm honest.

22 Jul 2021 21:55:36
We're we ever close to signing Sarr in 2020 transfer window Eds and if so what happened to the deal? In regard to Traore would 35m be enough in your opinion.

{Ed002's Note - Watford would not accept a payment plan.}

22 Jul 2021 22:35:35
Out of those suggested by ed002 think I’d like Hoppe as he’s more of a centre forward and could push Bobby perhaps. Don’t see Sarr or traore good enough to come in anywhere near the levels of Salah or Mane.

23 Jul 2021 06:29:42
We have four top forwards already (including Jota) and then Elliott pushing for time and Minamino in the wings as well.

Personally I feel if we can’t get someone that can both
1) push the wingers and
2) is young enough to provide long term solution
then I’d rather be patient and get the best possible player in the next window or when either Mane or Salah move on. This is a role we can be a bit more patient with.

The CM position is the bigger problem IMO, with a much more limited bench strength now that Gini has moved on…. and Hendo and Thiago not getting any younger.

23 Jul 2021 07:27:08
I guess the bowen interest is due to our issue with home grown players, Hoppe is lacking experience for me and one for the future. Has good composure in front of goal but have not watched him extensively so don't know how much he contributes in transition and build up.

Out of that group Sarr would be my choice, has that x factor, even though he looks raw at times he is effective. But we shall see, I still think Jota will step up next season and ed01s favourite kiddie could also have a big breakout season if he doesn't go out on loan again.

23 Jul 2021 10:39:28
Ed002, would you include Hlozek in your list as well? We've had rumours linking us with him on and off for around 2-3 months now, before the Euros. And they are resurfacing again now.

{Ed002's Note - Adam Hlozek (S) has been scouted by RBL, Milan, Liverpool, Dortmund, Arsenal and others but has a desire to move to West Ham where Soucek, who he shares an agent with, plays. Has made clear that he will want assurances of game time.}

23 Jul 2021 10:49:21
Thanks for that Ed002, and fair enough to the lad. He's only going to improve by playing and joining West Ham would at least mean he gets 20-30+ games in the season whilst having someone he knows well to help him adjust to life in a different country.

We'll probably be in for him in a few years time!

22 Jul 2021 12:09:19
ed0666 if we sell all the players we are looking to get rid of it looks like we want a forward player and a midfield player who would your picks be I see Ed01 has said he would Like Saul and I think he would like Minamino and Elliot to fill the spaces up top I would like Saul and an out and out Forward Kane proved last season you can have a goal scorer that assists to.

{Ed0666's Note - Raphina and Bissouma for me Grino mate.. I’m not sure an out an out goal scorer is what we need I’d prefer a pacy wide forward with magic in his boots who can play across the front 3. Bissouma can play box to box and defensive midfielder if Fab gets injured. Also both are prem proven and wouldn’t need assimilation.

22 Jul 2021 12:30:16
I would like someone that could play across the front 3. But last season as good as Jota did when he went upfront in place of Bobby we seemed very light weight up there as his hold up play is nowhere near as good as Bobby's.

22 Jul 2021 12:41:04
Maybe the Ox or Elliot could play the Bobby role?

22 Jul 2021 12:50:18
I haven't been asked by anyone for my choices but since mine align to ed0666 I'm going to post.

Bissouma over Saul for me for a number of reasons. Not just because of wages difference although that should be big reason for club. Saul is incredible but he's won a lot of stuff. Bissouma has won very little yet and is also incredibly talented. I love buying incredibly talented players with a point to prove. Breathes added hunger into the team. I'm not questioning anything about Saul but just my preference for Bissouma. I ll be crying tears of joy also if we get Saul but preference as I said is bissouma.

I also would like versatile wide forward with not just pace but electric pace. Take Bowen for example. He's fast but not electric fast. Raphinha has all the skill in the world too to keep up with his pace. Another one who would bring a hunger with him and a point to prove.

Konate, Bissouma, Raphina would be epic.

Only problem is it would probably be too epic in terms of cost too.

22 Jul 2021 13:32:51
Unless its a forward player good enough to push 4 a start i'd be happy to go with Mo, Sadio, Bobby, Jota, Elliott and Ox with the kids in d cups but we really do need another top midfielder, i'd put all the funds into that.

22 Jul 2021 13:33:38
I wouldn’t say Saul has won a lot, isn’t it like 1 league and 1 cup? Yes it’s nice to have players who are hungry but I don’t see how previous success is a deterrent.

22 Jul 2021 13:35:08
Really good points, Davey, interesting take on Saul vs Bissouma. Bissouma has played over here for 3 seasons in the EPL, so has that experience. Let's say he will cost around £40-£50m, albeit Brighton are interested in Phillips so there may be a deal to be done.

Do you have a view on Neuhaus? He could be cheaper - maybe £10m+ cheaper, but doesn't have the EPL experience. He is younger and, arguably, has a higher bar. I would imagine that wages would be similar as they are both earning around £25k per week now, so would probably be in the c£50-£60k range.

22 Jul 2021 13:42:38
Saul or Bissouma would be great.

22 Jul 2021 14:19:23
Bissouma would be ideal but seems to be very quiet on that one which could be a good sign lol.

Forward wise I think Doku has a big future and pace to burn, Harvey Barnes is a proven one too.

22 Jul 2021 14:31:54
Ed666. I would be extremely happy with Raphina and Bissouma. Will throw a little curve ball out there for a pacey wide forward, who definitely has magic in his boots and that’s Dominik Szoboszlai. Only just moved in January so no chance of him moving this summer, nor have we expressed any interest. But I wanted to get your opinion on the lad?

22 Jul 2021 14:43:36
Zedd I'd have Neuhaus over Bissouma, buying from Bundesliga i, e, Keita hasn't gone well for us but his ceiling his definitely higher than Bissouma's imo. Our midfield isn't for goals, but sometimes they can share the burden and Neuhaus is far superior in that aspect.

22 Jul 2021 15:32:28
I like neahaus from what little I ve seen but there's a far higher risk factor with him. I would have to trust the scouts on that one if his the option. Choice number 3 perhaps of the rumoured targets.

22 Jul 2021 18:35:50
Neahause and neto for me.

22 Jul 2021 20:10:02
Griezzmann for me.

23 Jul 2021 01:24:40
I’d rather rubbish in my hands and clap than sign griezzmann. It would be great if we signed Neuhaus and went sneaky for Malen.